Board game apparatus

ABSTRACT

A game device having a game board divided into an odd-numbered series of rows having an odd-numbered series of positions, the center row having its center position uncolored while positions on opposite sides in the row are distinguishably colored and have blocking members thereon, the four corner positions of the board and the first and last positions in the rows on either side of the center row have the same colors on each side of the board.

United States Patent Ackerman Oct. 28, 1975 1 1 BOARD GAME APPARATUS 3,595,580 7/1971 Bucko 273/131 K [76] Inventor: Frederick Nelson Ackerman, 12602 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Lmleto" Sllver P 789,106 8/1935 France 273/131 AB 20906 [22] Filed: Oct, 29, 1973 Primary Examiner Delbert B. Lowe 21 A l. N 410,303 PP 57 ABSTRACT A game device having a game board divided into an 273/131 2 odd-numbered series of rows having an odd-numbered 58] d 2 133 134 series of positions, the center row having its center poo earc sition uncolored while positions on opposite sides in the row are distinguishably colored and have blocking [56] References cued members thereon, the four corner positions of the UNITED STATES PATENTS board and the first and last positions in the rows on 1,016,187 1/1912 Vacek 273/131 K either side of the center row have the same colors on 2,342,899 2/l944 Sands 273/131 BB ea h side of the board,

2,733,066 l/l956 Edwards 273/131 BA 3,460,834 8/1969 Nickel 273/131 BA 3 ClalmS, 1 Drawing Flgure P O S I T I O N S BOARD GAME APPARATUS BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION BREAK-THROUGH is a game of strategy that is played by two people. The game consists of a playing board, two sets of playing pieces, and one set of blocking members. The object of the game is to move a set of playing pieces across the playing board in a prescribed manner to occupy the positions of the opponent; the first player that accomplishes this feat wins the game.

The principle object of the invention is to provide a game device that is entertaining in the skills and strategies required by the rules of the game.

Another object of the invention is to provide a game device that is simple in its construction and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the novel features of the construction and operation, taken in conjunction with the drawing which accompanies and forms part of the specification.

The drawing is a top plan view of the game board showing playing and blocking members in the starting positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The playing board for the game of BREAK- THROUGH can be constructed using any material that will allow the playing pattern to be produced. The drawing shows a top view of a playing board pattern suitable for wood construction where the playing positions are made by drilling into the surface. The board may be divided into an odd-numbered series of rows having an odd-numbered series of positions. In the preferred construction as shown in the drawing, there are nine rows having seven positions each. Positions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 of row 5 have concentric holes. The center holes are used for inserting the blocking pegs shown in their inserted position and the larger holes become playing positions after the pegs are removed. Playing positions 1 and 7 of row 1, and l and 7 of row 4, and 5, 6 and 7 of row 5 are color identified. Playing positions 1 and 7 of row 9, and 1 and 7 of row 6, and 1, 2 and 3 of row 5 are color identified with a color distinguishable from the previous color. The playing pieces used are spherical. The size of the playing pattern and pieces should be suitable for ease of playing the game. In the case where the playing pattern is produced by photolithography or a similar method, the playing positions, color identification area, playing pieces and blocking pieces can be any suitable size and shape providing that the relationship of the playing and blocking positions as shown in the drawing is maintained. The color of each set of playing and blocking pieces can match the associated colored playing positions; however, this is not mandatory. The number of playing positions can vary so long as the strategy of the game is maintained.

How to Play. BREAK-THROUGH is played with two players. The game, as shown in the drawing, consists of the following items:

1 playing board 1 set of first colored playing pieces 1 set of second colored playing pieces 1 set of blocking members in the form of pegs The object of the game is to get one set of playing pieces across the playing board to occupy the positions of an opponent.

Place one set of playing pieces in rows 1 and 2, and the second set of playing pieces in rows 8 and 9. Place the blocking pegs in positions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 of row 5.

Each player selects a set of playing pieces; decide which player goes first.

Each player takes turns making a play. The play is made by selecting a playing piece from the assigned set and jumping it over any other piece of either color in any direction for as many continuous jumps as possible. Once the hand is removed from the playing piece, the piece cannot be moved until the next turn.

The six blocking pegs (three associated with each player) form a blockade across the playing board except for one position which is passable by both players. To remove the blockadeone piece at a timethe player must land his playing piece on one of the four matching colored playing positions located on the opposite side of the blockade; a different position to remove each peg. Once the peg is removed, only the player that landed on the colored playing position can use the now unobstructed position. For example, to remove a first peg from positions 5, 6, or 7 in row 5, the player with pieces in rows 8 and 9 must move his playing pieces through the blockade by way of the center playing position of row 5 and land on one of the four colored playing positions in rows 1 and 4. Then any one of the three blocking pegs can be removed. Once the peg is removed, only the pieces from rows 8 and 9 can use the position. A blocking peg can be removed each time a playing piece lands on a different one of the four colored playing positions. Each player should remove the three blocking pegs as soon as possible to provide access to the opponents positions and thus the chance to win the game. To prevent an opponent from being able to remove the three pegs, the colored playing positions can be blocked by occupying them with playing pieces.

If the playing pieces are placed in positions where neither player can move, the player with the most pieces occupying his opponents positions wins the game.

I claim:

1. A game device comprising a game board having playing positions designated thereon and being divided into an odd-numbered series of rows each having an odd-numbered series of said positions constructed to receive playing pieces, the four comer positions of the board being colored by two distinguishable colors in the first and last rows respectively, the center position of the center row being uncolored while the positions on opposite sides thereof are colored with the two colors respectively, two groups of blocking members, each group being of sufficient number to be positioned on the colored positions on one side of said uncolored position, and the rows on either side of the center row having their first and last positions colored to match the colored comer positions on each side of the board.

2. The game device recited in claim 1 wherein a hole is formed in all the playing positions to receive said playing pieces.

3. The game device recited in claim 2 wherein the positions receiving the blocking members have concentric holes in which the blocking members in the form of pegs are located. 

1. A game device comprising a game board having playing positions designated thereon and being divided into an oddnumbered series of rows each having an odd-numbered series of said positions constructed to receive playing pieces, the four corner positions of the board being colored by two distinguishable colors in the first and last rows respectively, the center position of the center row being uncolored while the positions on opposite sides thereof are colored with the two colors respectively, two groups of blocking members, each group being of sufficient number to be positioned on the colored positions on one side of said uncolored position, and the rows on either side of the center row having their first and last positions colored to match the colored corner positions on each side of the board.
 2. The game device recited in claim 1 wherein a hole is formed in all the playing positions to receive said playing pieces.
 3. The game device recited in claim 2 wherein the positions receiving the blocking members have concentric holes in which the blocking members in the form of pegs are located. 